How do I change the maximum number of players on my Minecraft server?

The maximum number of players (slots) decides how many people can be online at the same time. At MC-Node the slots are unlimited: you set the number yourself with max-players in server.properties. What actually limits you is the memory and CPU of your package, so this article covers both the setting and the realistic limits.

Changing the setting

1. Go to the game panel and click your server.
2. Open the Properties page and change MAX-PLAYERS, or edit the line max-players=20 in server.properties through File Manager.
3. Save and restart the server; this value is only read at start-up.

The number shows in the multiplayer list as 3/50. Players who try to join a full server see The server is full!; operators can bypass that if you enable it in Paper's configuration.

How many players can my package handle?

A rough guide for a Paper server with a normal set of plugins and view distance 8 to 10:

• 2 GB: 5 to 10 players, vanilla or Paper with few plugins.
• 4 GB: 10 to 25 players.
• 8 GB: 25 to 60 players.
• 12 to 16 GB: 60 to 120 players, if the plugins and world are well optimised.

Modpacks need much more: count on 4 to 6 GB for the server alone and then 500 MB per player. Bedrock players through Geyser cost roughly the same as Java players.

The signs that you are at the limit

• TPS drops below 19 when the server is busy; check with tps in the console.
• The console shows Can't keep up! Is the server overloaded?
• Players see blocks reappear, mobs teleport or chat lag.

How to measure where the time goes is in our blog article on TPS, MSPT and lag. Often lowering the view distance and pre-generating the world gains more than extra memory; see tuning your Paper configuration.

Upgrading

If the server is genuinely full, upgrade the package in the client area; the extra memory is applied at the next restart and your world, plugins and settings stay as they are. Downgrading works the same way when the season is quieter.

Reserving slots

Want to keep a few slots free for staff or donors when the server is full? Plugins such as EssentialsX (essentials.joinfullserver) or a queue plugin let players with a permission join a full server. That way you can advertise 50 slots while staff can always get in.

Common questions

• The list still shows the old number: refresh the multiplayer list; the client caches the count.
• Setting it to 1000 to look busy? It works, but if the server cannot handle a surge, the experience is worse than an honest number.
• Is there a maximum? Technically the field accepts up to 2147483647; in practice your package is the limit.

Not sure which package fits your player count? Open a ticket with your plugin list and expected players and we will advise.